AN: Disclaimers, notes, explanations, and recriminations are found in Chapter 1
When: The week following Noah's big win.
Thank you Not An Infant for the feedback on the last chapter. Sorry this one was late! (BTW, Dracula was an off-Broadway play :-) ).
March 2, 2012
As Holden held up his creation for inspection, an unfamiliar ringtone broke the lazy silence in the barn. What the- "Hello?"
"Hello yourself," Lily's smiling voice responded.
He might as well get right to it. "What did you do to my phone?"
Lily's answering laughter warmed him. "I just wanted to make sure you remember. And don't change your mind! You missed your last one, you know."
Now Holden was smiling widely. "That's because I had the wrong bride."
"Well, that's true," Lily agreed happily.
"But, this isn't exactly a manly ringtone," Holden pretended to scold.
"Ah, but you are man enough to handle it. I know that better than anyone."
Holden feigned shock. "Why Lily Walsh, are you trying to seduce me?"
"Is it working?" came the unrepentant reply.
"Of course," Holden answered without hesitation.
"Then you need to come home. You can finish your project tomorrow," Lily added baitingly.
Holden chuckled. "Luckily, I am finished. I'm pretty sure my schedule's full tomorrow."
In perfect sync, they both released a contented sigh that said everything. Where they'd started; how far they'd come; all they'd been through. And how finally, they were getting it right.
After a shared moment of silent reflection, Lily spoke. "Come tomorrow, I expect you to call me Lily Snyder."
"Gladly," Holden agreed enthusiastically. "I'm on my way home. See you soon. Love you."
"Love you too," Lily returned.
Holden lifted the small object from the work bench in front of him once more for closer inspection. He could find no flaws as he softly ran his fingers along its smooth surface. Perfect, he thought with satisfaction.
He placed the object carefully in the gift box he'd brought for it, pleased that it had turned out as he'd envisioned. Then Holden tucked his mobile phone into his pocket, snickering slightly at his new ringtone. Going to the Chapel, indeed.
March 1, 2012 - the previous day
It was an unseasonably warm March morning. The sun was shining, and to Holden, it felt like Mother Nature herself was celebrating along with the Snyders. He squeezed Lily's hand as they sat in the airport, awaiting Luke and Noah's triumphant homecoming. It was also Holden's birthday, and he couldn't think of a better present.
It was true the boys had just been home a few weeks earlier, for Noah's Valentine's engagement surprise. Holden had been honored that Noah had sought his help in carrying out that unforgettable day. He smiled at the memory. It was the happiest he'd ever seen his sons, and reflecting upon it still made his own heart twinge with emotion. .
So while the whole family was thrilled when Noah won his Oscar a few days ago, they hadn't expected to have the chance to celebrate his win so soon. Yet Holden was starting to think they should have. He couldn't fail to notice that the boys had visited home almost every month since their reconciliation. Holden strongly suspected Noah had some hand in this, wanting to assure the family that Luke would still be very much present in their lives, even though he was now living with Noah in L.A.
"What are you smiling about?" Lily asked, bemused.
Holden beamed brighter. "I was just thinking about our kids."
Lily responded approvingly, "That is reason to smile. Any kid in particular?"
He remained silent, though his smile twisted into a proud smirk.
Reading him accurately, Lily continued, "So, our Academy Award-winning son, then."
Holden nodded. "With those mind-reading skills, you could open your own fortune-telling booth. Plus, the gypsy look would be incredibly sexy on you."
Lily blushed at Holden's blatant flirting. "You have a thing for wandering women with big hoop earrings, huh?"
In response, she was pulled into Holden's arms. He whispered into her ear, "Only this woman. And I don't want her wandering anywhere!" As Holden nuzzled Lily's neck, planting a few kisses there, the moment was broken by an exaggerated throat-clearing noise.
The pair broke their embrace to find an amused Noah and embarrassed Luke standing over them.
"Geez you guys!" Luke began. "I have to be the only grown man whose parents make out in airports!"
Noah snorted in the attempt not to laugh at his fiancée's exasperation. Luke shot him an aggravated look, but Noah knew he wasn't really annoyed. At least, not until their dad explained himself.
"Sorry, son - your mom is just too hot. I can't help myself."
Luke gave Holden his most mortified expression. "Eww! Seriously, Dad? I am never coming home again."
Now everyone but Luke was laughing outright at his dramatic declaration. Of course, it was contagious, and against his will, Luke joined in pretty quickly. He could hardly be too irritated. He was thrilled his mom and dad were going strong - though he'd rather they not go at it so strongly in public!
His parents rose from their chairs to greet the boys. Holden playfully ruffled Luke's hair before pulling him into a firm hug. Luke predictably rolled his eyes, but secretly loved the affectionate gesture. No matter how old he was, he never tired of the safe, loved feeling he got in the presence of his dad. Luke hoped he would pass this feeling on to his own child.
Meanwhile, Lily squeezed Noah hard, releasing the built-up excitement of the days since his big win. "Congratulations, sweetie," she said as she pecked his cheek. "We're so happy for you - you deserve it!"
"Thanks," Noah said sheepishly. After a lifetime of never feeling good enough, it was still difficult for him to accept praise, but he was working on it. And coming from Lily, it actually felt great, because he knew it was genuine.
After whispering something else to Noah that only he could hear, Lily moved over to clench Luke with equal exuberance. Luke affected a melodramatic expression, pretending he was being crushed. At the teasing, Lily served up an eye roll of her own, which prompted Noah to muse, and that's where he gets it.
Meanwhile, Holden offered Noah his hand for a hearty shake in greeting. When Noah began to release Holden's hand, though, Luke's dad suddenly pulled him into a strong hug. "We knew you could do it, son," Holden said next to Noah's ear.
Returning the embrace, Noah answered, "You helped me believe I could do it. Thank you."
Holden smiled. "I don't usually get thanked for pointing out the obvious." He released Noah with a wink, and the jovial group started for the exit, eager to get home to the rest of the family.
Later that afternoon
Noah and Luke had gone to their share of Oscar parties earlier in the week, but not a one held a candle to the celebration at Snyder Farm. Emma made all of Noah's favorites, and judging by the spread in the kitchen, everyone else's favorites, too. Noah had brought along the Oscar statue, of course, and everyone took a turn inspecting it. Most posed for a picture with the award, and everyone insisted upon getting their photo taken with Noah.
Luke watched the scene with contentment. Noah was as smiling and relaxed as Luke had ever seen him. Like Noah, Luke loved visiting home, but Noah seemed to need to, as well. Almost all of their trips back to Oakdale had been at Noah's suggestion.
Luke's conscience pricked with guilt. After their Christmas 2010 blowup, Noah had given Luke space, and stayed away from Oakdale until after they reunited. Luke was beginning to understand how much being separated from the family had affected Noah. He'd grown up with no real family, but had seamlessly integrated into the Snyders. Luke realized that going without seeing the family for nearly a year must've been awful for Noah.
"What's wrong?"
God, Noah knew him so well. Luke's brief flash of melancholy must've shown on his face - at least to Noah.
"Nothing," Luke replied. He then chuckled as he remembered the first time they'd shared the exchange of those particular words. Noah smirked, clearly on the same wavelength. Their first kiss remained one of the pivotal moments in each of their lives, and both remembered every word, sound, and feeling from that moment with absolute clarity.
"Later," Noah murmured suggestively, letting Luke know exactly which direction his thoughts were moving. And Luke was entirely on board with that plan.
The intensity of their shared gaze was interrupted by Lily. "Noah," she began. "I think we're ready."
Nodding, Noah rose from his chair to dim the lights, happy to help. Luke sent him a questioning look. Since Lily wanted to keep things under wraps until the moment arrived, Noah was the only one who'd been entrusted with her plan.
Even Emma looked surprised when Lily produced a small, circular cake. Confused, too, since Emma herself had naturally made a cake of her own, to celebrate both Noah's win, and Holden's birthday. As a single lit candle cast a soft light through the kitchen, Lily began to sing Happy Birthday. The family joined in, and Holden basked in the affection from his loved ones.
When the song ended, Lily placed the cake on the table in front of Holden, instructing him to make a wish. After a moment, he blew out the flame, and Noah flipped the lights back on. Only then did Holden notice the message written in icing. Two words, and they weren't Happy Birthday.
Holden blinked, then gulped, then blinked again. It was soon apparent to all who weren't in the know that something more was going on than commemorating Holden's birthday. Luke rose from his chair to get a better view of the cake, then gasped.
Marry me.
